Baktar: A Tale From The Andes [Paperback]

Laurie J. White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

Baktar is not a common cat, even though he looks like one. He is a Royal Black Tarquoia, a mythical species, who lived among the ancient Inca of Peru high in the Andes Mountains. Baktar watches and guards his mistress Amasuwa, an Inca princess who is struggling with her fears concerning her upcoming marriage. Her grandfather Pachacuti, ninth king of the Inca Realm, has his own concerns as he ponders the question of which god really is God and might there be just one? Baktar, meanwhile, is busy with his own escapades, but he is beginning to sense a lurking evil from which he must guard Pachacuti, if necessary, with his life. The scene is the beautiful and mysterious Machu Picchu, summer resort for the royal family. Young readers will enjoy this tale with its fascinating details about the Ancient Inca wrapped in myth, intrigue and heroism. (Ages 9 and up)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine:

This easy-to-read story is packed full of interesting and true historical tidbits about the ancient Incas... a good novel to include in your study of early cultures, especially the ancient peoples of South America.

Baktar is not your common house cat . . .

In reality, the lead character in Baktar, a Tale of the Andes is a Royal Black Tarquoia, a mythical feline species that supposedly lived among the ancient Incas of Peru, high in the Andes Mountains. Baktar's purpose in life is to watch over the High King of the Incas (in this case Pachacuti) and his family. During the course of this 98-page chapter book for ages 9-12, Baktar enjoys his own escapades as he keeps Princess Amasuwa company and "spies" on wicked and self-important Incan priests. The Tarquoia (who looks and acts suspiciously like an ordinary black cat) senses a lurking evil growing around his king, for Pachacuti, ninth king of the Inca Empire, has been asking questions--dangerous and empire-altering questions. Which god is the true god, and might there be just one God? The Incan priests do not want to hear this!

Baktar, a Tale from the Andes is a story within a story. The Incan tale is framed by a modern-day story of a tiny black kitten and his human family. Little "Tar" sometimes does strange things, like rattling pencils at night. Could he be a descendant of the Royal Black Tarquoias, who communicated by striking sticks together?

This easy-to-read story is packed full of interesting and true historical tidbits about the ancient Incas. Throughout the story I kept wondering if Tarquoias were real, as well. The author kept me guessing as she weaved this enjoyable tale about a "might have been" long ago. Indeed, the references to Pachacuti's search for the one true God is well-documented. The story of this Incan king's conversion to Viracocha, the only God, is found in one of the author's cited resource books, Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson, which I have read.

Baktar, a Tale from the Andes, is a good novel to include in your study of early cultures, especially the ancient peoples of South America. In addition to the glossary and author's note at the back of the book, a website is available for further study. The author, Laurie White, is a home school mom who knows how to put together related topics to generate interest and enhance student learning.

I would definitely have appreciated this book when we were studying ancient civilizations. While obviously fiction (how many books are told from the point of view of a cat [Royal Black Tarquoia]?), it's told in an interesting and entertaining way, and the opportunities for further study is a real draw. --The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, September 2008. Product review by Susan K. Marlow

About the Author

Laurie White lives in Covington, Georgia where she writes both fiction and non-fiction for middle school through high school.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: The Shorter Word Press (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980187702
• ISBN-13: 978-0980187700
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,995,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I live near Atlanta, Georgia, where I teach world history to tenth graders and work with adult literacy students. I've written both fiction and non fiction books and materials for students from elementary through high school. As a former homeschooling mom of three who were homeschooled through high school, I have had a special desire to write materials that would be particularly lively and interesting to the homeschooled student, but my books and materials are equally suited to a Christian school setting as well.

King Alfred's English, my primary work, has received a wide range of positive reviews, from being chosen as a top ten pick in the CBD 2010 homeschool catalog, to being required reading in the Logos School honors English program in Moscow, Idaho.

For more information and to see what else is available, visit my website:
http://www.theshorterword.com

Laurie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Grandchildren, April 23, 2008

By 

Henrietta J. Turley "H. Turley" (Dalton, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baktar: A Tale From The Andes (Paperback)

I gave this book to my grandchildren-ages 11 and 13 ( girl and boy) and they loved it! It has a combination of ancient lore and mystery that kids are facinated with, plus the animal heroism that we all love. They totally don't realize that it's educational at all!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, May 17, 2008

By 

J. Hardin (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baktar: A Tale From The Andes (Paperback)

Wow! I was fascinated and intrigued by the wealth of historical knowledge I gained about the Incas, while being entertained by this incredible story! A must read for all ages, but a great way to get children to enjoy history and reading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative history, April 23, 2008

By 

F. Lewis (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baktar: A Tale From The Andes (Paperback)

Baktar is a fascinating cat who will introduce you to historical fiction in a way that is both fun and educational--for both children and adults. What an imagination this author has! Bring us more!